If I could travel back and ask my senior high school self whether I would choose civil engineering again, the answer would still be a solid yes. No doubt about it.

Back in high school, we once had an assignment to develop a simple website. I named mine Constructio which means construction in Latin. Sadly the free domain for the website is gone now, so I can’t open it anymore. On that little website, I wrote a few short articles about skyscrapers and bridges. One of them was about Tower Bridge. Little did I know, it would become a tiny hint of the path I was about to take years later.

Fast forward to today, as a civil engineer, I’ve developed a unique habit whenever I travel: I always look for bridges. For me, bridges are not just structures; they are pieces of engineering and art combined. When I look at them, not only admiring their structure complexity and beauty, I also think about the history behind it. Lately, capturing bridges through my lens has become one of my favorite parts of traveling.

Here are some of my favorite bridges I’ve captured so far, arranged from the oldest to the most recent to show how bridge has evolved over time

Charles Bridge (Karluv most), Prague, Czech Republic. Completed in 1357, this is the oldest bridge I’ve ever visited so far. A timeless stone arch bridge, and definitely one of my all-time favorites. Walking across it feels like stepping into a medieval era. I visited the bridge during a summer break and spent hours both crossing it and admiring it from afar. Influenced by Gothic architecture and it is considered as one of masterpieces of medieval engineering

Pulteney Bridge, Bath, UK. I visited this bridge in autumn, and Bath during that season is definitely my favorite. I really recommend to visit this city during autumn. Pulteney Bridge is a stone arch bridge over the River Avon in Bath. Built in 1769, this bridge is really beautiful with row of shops which built along the deck.

Bridge of Sighs, Cambridge, UK.  A beautiful pedestrian bridge at St John’s College, Cambridge. It’s named bridge of sighs because of its resemblance to the Venetian bridge of sighs in Venice, Italy. This Gothic style bridge which finished in 1831, is spanning over the River Cam. Its beauty is best admired while punting along the River Cam.

Westminster Bridge, London, UK. The current bridge is a cast iron arch bridge, standing proudly next to Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament. It offers one of the best views of London’s landmarks. Even Monet and Canaletto capture the beauty of the bridge through their painting. Actually, the first bridge, which is a stone arch bridge, is built around 1750. However, the bridge is subsiding badly and rebuilt in 1862 as a cast iron arch bridge.

Tower Bridge, London, UK. Well, it is definitely my most favorite bridge in the world. Long before I studied in London, I had already written about it in that high school assignment. Years later, the first place I went to when I arrived in London was, of course, Tower Bridge. Completed in 1894, the Tower Bridge is a combination of suspension and bascule bridge. When visiting London, you should look for its lift time, so you can see how wonderful this bridge when lifting its deck.

Bridge of Sighs, Oxford, UK. Quite similar in concept to Cambridge’s, but instead of crossing a river, this one crosses a road connecting two parts of Hertford College in Oxford. Finished in 1914, with its beautiful architecture, besides Radcliffe Camera, this bridge is one of the popular photo spots in Oxford as well.

Jiefang Bridge, Tianjin, China. I saw this steel truss bascule bridge during a river cruise in Tianjin. A blend of steel truss structure and bascule system. I saw it during night and the lights are just so fascinating highlighting the complexity of its structure. This bridge is finished in 1927.

Harbour Bridge, Sydney, Australia. A massive steel arch bridge which built in 1932, famously known as the widest long-span bridge in the world. I really like it when passing this bridge and see the steel structure above me. You can enjoy the view of this bridge close and afar, especially from the sydney opera house area.

Story Bridge, Brisbane, Australia. A steel cantilever truss bridge finished in 1940. I was in awe when I saw the details of its truss structure up close. Visiting it at night was really worth it, I even try to capture the beauty if it through my painting.

London Bridge, London, UK. I think most of us already familiar with the name, because of our childhood song. However, the current bridge which finished in 1973 is a prestressed concrete structure, simple yet play significant role for the traffic.

Millennium Bridge, London, UK. A sleek steel suspension pedestrian bridge that leads you straight to Tate Modern. I like the modern design of it, but it’s said when the bridge just finished in 2000, it is quite wobbly.

MediaCityUK Footbridge, Salford, UK. A modern cable-stayed pedestrian bridge built in 2011 with a striking design. the bridge has asymmetric twisted deck, where a boat can pass through it.

3D-Printed Bridge, Amsterdam, Netherlands. This bridge is second on my list after Van Gogh museum when I visited Amsterdam. What makes this bridge interesting is because it’s the world’s first fully 3D-printed steel bridge. This 3D-printed steel bridge is completed in 2021. As a civil engineer which passionate with digital technology this bridge show a glimpse into the future of construction technology.

Every bridge I’ve visited tells a different story. Some are centuries old, while others are relatively new. Some are carrying rich history and some are showcasing the latest technology. But all of them remind me that a bridge is more than just a structure, it is a fusion of engineering and art. Above that, bridges feel like pathway of civilization which connecting people and places that help communities grow.